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On the morning of June 1, President Tsai Ing-wen met with US Senator David Perdue. In addition to thanking Senator Perdue and Taiwan-friendly members of the US Congress for supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, the president also expressed hope that Taiwan and the United States will work together to further enhance bilateral relations.
In remarks, President Tsai stated that Taiwan has faced a difficult situation in the international arena for some time now. Fortunately, we've also received a lot more international attention, and support from friends across the world. Since Senator Perdue was elected to the Senate, she said, he has always been a staunch supporter of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). The president then thanked him for standing by the Taiwanese people, demonstrating the true friendship between Taiwan and the United States.
President Tsai noted that the rules-based international order that both countries support is facing both new and traditional challenges. Therefore, Taiwan, the United States, and other like-minded countries, she said, must stand together and defend our democratic values.
President Tsai said the long-standing partnership between Taiwan and the United States reflects our shared commitment to those democratic values. She then thanked the US administration for honoring its security commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. That includes the US administration's announcement of arms sales to Taiwan last year, and the approval of a marketing license allowing US defense companies to assist our indigenous submarine program. These decisions show the US resolve to maintain regional peace and stability, and support its partners in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The president further pointed out that in addition to military exchanges and cooperation, we are also working to deepen our economic and trade partnership with the United States. Later this month, Taiwan will send a large delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit. Given the existing complementary Taiwan-US trade and economic ties, she expressed hope that Senator Perdue will continue to support the signing of a bilateral trade agreement. President Tsai said she's sure that increased bilateral investment will allow both countries to create more jobs, more businesses, and more investments. She also expressed hope that Taiwan's agricultural trade goodwill mission will visit Senator Perdue's home state of Georgia, a famous agricultural powerhouse, and enhance Taiwan-US agricultural exchanges next year.
President Tsai specially thanked Senator Perdue and Taiwan-friendly members of the US Congress for signing two joint letters to the WHO Director General, showing bipartisan support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly.
Finally, the president said she looks forward to working with Taiwan-friendly members of Congress to deepen our bilateral partnership. She also expressed hope that Senator Perdue will visit Taiwan often for even more exchanges.
In remarks of his own, Senator Perdue stated that the peoples of Taiwan and the United States have had a great friendship for many decades. Last year, the Trump administration reaffirmed its commitments to the Taiwanese people in the Taiwan Relations Act. He noted that the United States has remained committed to maintaining world peace, yet this region still faces many problems. The senator then expressed appreciation for Taiwan's long-term support, and said that going forward, the United States will continue to assist Taiwan.
Senator Perdue noted that the main purpose of this trip is to listen, and learn more about Taiwan's current political, economic, military, and environmental situation. He said that Taiwan and the United States share some of the same problems in terms of an increasing number of retirees and an aging population, as well as various economic difficulties. The senator hopes that the two countries will work together to address these challenges through exchanges and cooperation.
Senator Perdue closed his remarks by once again expressing his appreciation for President Tsai's hospitality, and the friendship of the Taiwanese people.
